Candidates, step right up and grab your stump.

It’s time to tell the world — or at least Natchez — who you are, what you stand for and why we should vote for you.

Stumping — a term that originated from a time when candidates for public office would literally stand on a stump to speak to the crowds — is community politics at its best.

And several local groups are joining forces to give candidates for Natchez mayor and aldermen a stump on which to stand.

The Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce, the Natchez Business and Civic League, this newspaper and First Natchez Radio Group are sponsoring a candidate forum on April 10.

Candidates will have a chance to share their platforms, but they will also be pressed for answers on some of the toughest issues facing our community.

Twenty-two men and women are in the race for public office this spring, and we hope they’ll all come out and show the community where they stand on the issues.

Every candidate for public office owes it to the voters to attend such a forum.

The deadline for candidates to sign up to participate is Friday.

Bring your platform, pick your stump and let’s get this election season well under way.